Validated classes

My son took 7 AP classes in HS. He made 5's in all of them but one (4). He was offered to validate only 2 ( calc and english) of the classes at USNA The curriculum of AP Euro did not include the ancient Civilization component required by the USNA, so I understand why he was unable to validate that.

I'm curious about the others - what might be a reason he wouldn't qualify for validation. I do understand they have additional tests required. Four of the AP grade results were just completed in July 2016 - could it be that USNA did not get the results? Could he still test out of AP physics? That is one of his strongest courses and he made a 5.

That is odd-I'd be curious to know. My mid was like yours with several high AP scores and ended up validating over 20 credits-24, I think?
Maybe it has something to do with the testing they do the first week of Plebe summer?

My son took 7 AP classes in HS. He made 5's in all of them but one (4). He was offered to validate only 2 ( calc and english) of the classes at USNA The curriculum of AP Euro did not include the ancient Civilization component required by the USNA, so I understand why he was unable to validate that.

I'm curious about the others - what might be a reason he wouldn't qualify for validation. I do understand they have additional tests required. Four of the AP grade results were just completed in July 2016 - could it be that USNA did not get the results? Could he still test out of AP physics? That is one of his strongest courses and he made a 5.

thanks!

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Are you sure that the results were sent? Maybe this weekend he could log in to his AP account and check.

The AP exam scores are only a component of the validation process. USNA puts value on the tests they administer during Plebe Summer and they also use the on-line testing program that your Plebe had to complete prior to I Day.

IMHO, there are some courses USNA would deem as less essential and easier to validate but foundational classes such as Calculus the USNA takes a more conservative approach.

Our Plebe validated more classes (4) than she earned 5's on the AP exams, so we assume she did very well on the placement exams administered by USNA, combine with strong but not great AP scores. (Though placement exams during PS probably aren't the ideal testing environment.)

If you validate some courses it offers flexibility in future class scheduling but is not in the big scheme of things a big deal. People will post about the few Mids that start their masters program their senior year and take classes at local universities (those are few and far between) and I have read a lot of threads about Plebes planning to double and triple major while at USNA (those also are few and far between and that dream normally ends about December of their Plebe year)

Our Plebes have always been at the top of their class academically, a recent Mid from the track team just graduated with a 3.91 in something like Bio Chemistry. The 3.91 ranked her 61st in the class of 2016. This is the deep end of the pool.

If the Dean and his team think it best for your Plebe to start in Class x vs Class y - they aren't making that decision lightly. I would wager the Dean has sent more people home over the years than the Commandant.

No matter if you validate or not, it is still a 47 month program and the pay and the title are the same.

Our 2/c was a National AP scholar, scoring high on his AP's too. I believe he validated over 20 credits as well. I remember speaking to a calculus professor during PPW(btw, go to the fair or whatever it's called in Dahlgren-they looked up our mids schedule & lots of great info from all departments). So this professor said AP scores were only part of the criteria they use to evaluate placement. He said they rely on the testing the plebes take at home prior to IDay and the testing they undergo early in PS.
Honestly, I think my then Plebe would have maybe liked a less intense start to his academic year. With classwork, athletics and all the plebe stuff, I know he often felt overwhelmed.

If I recall correctly (current MIDN...please correct, if this has changed), all plebes take the chemistry I exam during plebe summer...those who pass the chemistry I exam are invited back to take chemistry II...those who pass chemistry II are invited back to take physics I...etc.

It will all work out. USNA deals with this stuff year in and year out and knows how to deal with this. Your kids will talk with upper class and work with their ac advisors to ask any questions and get things worked out if there are questions about validation. The USNA website gives good detail on what can be validated with an exam or something else's For instance physics... Must be a validation exam, AP scores aren't used. It's in your kids hands to know to push for answers if they think something isn't right. Next week a lot of this stuff gets worked out as they get moved in and settled academically. Their upper class will assist in the process if they get stuck.

Also just to clear up one point from above. A 3.91 GPA is one thing, but USNA looks at many other things for overall QPR and that is used as a final standing for rankings. A B in PE or performance can move you down many spots. Conduct, performance and Physical component can all come into play. Your Kids will learn how this all works in the coming weeks. To VGEP (start your masters early) there is an interview process and requirements for other grades. Heck my room mate validated well over 60 credits at USNA, VGEP'd her entire senior year and was a Rhodes finalist... But she was not a PT stud. To qualify for all these items she had to make conscious effort to maintain a B on the PRT. We had a guy in my company who was declined VGEP because he had a C in performance.

'....O’Connor, who also garnered academic league honors during the cross country and indoor track and field season, owns an impressive 3.91 grade-point average while majoring in chemistry. The senior distance runner has recorded a 4.0 GPA in four of the eight semesters at the Academy, including three of the last four. O’Connor has been named to the Superintendent’s and Commandant’s list in seven of the eight semesters. She currently ranks 66th out of 1087 classmates in Academic Order of Merit.'

So she was 66th in the Academic Order of Merit.

I think I read that she was 35th overall in the final class standing which included her Military rating.

My point is for the parents worried about validating courses and how smart their Plebe is - 'Smart' is measured by an entirely different standard now that they are at USNA, and if a 3.91 will rank you 66 out of 1087 it is very difficult to stand out academically.

'....O’Connor, who also garnered academic league honors during the cross country and indoor track and field season, owns an impressive 3.91 grade-point average while majoring in chemistry. The senior distance runner has recorded a 4.0 GPA in four of the eight semesters at the Academy, including three of the last four. O’Connor has been named to the Superintendent’s and Commandant’s list in seven of the eight semesters. She currently ranks 66th out of 1087 classmates in Academic Order of Merit.'

So she was 66th in the Academic Order of Merit.

I think I read that she was 35th overall in the final class standing which included her Military rating.

My point is for the parents worried about validating courses and how smart their Plebe is - 'Smart' is measured by an entirely different standard now that they are at USNA, and if a 3.91 will rank you 66 out of 1087 it is very difficult to stand out academically.

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There are absolutely academic stand outs at USNA., just as there are athletic stand outs. I personally know the former mid you mentioned. Yes, she is an impressive graduate. You got your well founded point across but with all respect, I don't think it's necessary or appropriate to reveal a recent grads name, OOM, GPA and other statistics on this forum unless you were given permission by her to do so.

Per the USNA website and my DD's experience. She passed the Chem I exam and will start with Chem II. The USNA website lists Physics I as a Fall only course and Physics II as a Spring only course. Regarding the question of is Physics a sophomore only class - it is listed as being taken by sophomores, but if you meet the requirements, Plebes can take it.

AP scores were available the second week of July. Also, I believe Physics validation had to be initiated prior to I Day.

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ok, thanks. That makes sense. I am very neutral on the subject of validation. In fact, If retaking a class makes his plebe year a bit less stressful, great! I'll leave it up to him if he want to validate Physics in his sophomore year.